A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has granted the police permission to reopen their case against the factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, and call additional witnesses in his ongoing trial.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Peter Kekemeke on Monday, November 2, 2026, following an application by the prosecution seeking permission to present further evidence against the former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs.
The application was filed by prosecuting counsel, Usman Aliyu, who asked the court to allow the prosecution to reopen its case after previously announcing its decision to close the matter.
According to reports, the judge considered the application meritorious and granted the prosecution leave to call additional witnesses and present further evidence.
The development marks another significant stage in the criminal proceedings involving the senior PDP figure.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) is prosecuting Turaki on a one-count charge bordering on allegedly providing false information to the police through a petition.
The allegation relates to a petition reportedly submitted to the police on October 5, 2022, concerning one Saidi Mohammed Mainasara.
The prosecution alleges that Turaki provided false information with the intention of using the lawful powers of the police to cause injury or annoyance to the individual mentioned in the petition.
Turaki has pleaded not guilty to the charge and is contesting the allegations before the court.
The prosecution had earlier closed its case on June 18, 2026, after presenting only one witness.
However, on October 14, prosecuting counsel Usman Aliyu informed the court that the prosecution had filed an application seeking permission to reopen its case, call additional witnesses and introduce further evidence.
Aliyu argued that the additional witnesses and evidence were necessary to ensure the proper prosecution of the case and urged the court to grant the request in the interest of justice.
The application was strongly opposed by Turaki's defence counsel, Abdulaziz Ibrahim (SAN), who urged the court to reject the prosecution's request and award substantial costs against it.
Ibrahim argued that the prosecution should not be permitted to reopen its case simply because it had changed its position after formally announcing the closure of its evidence.
He reminded the court that the prosecution had previously indicated that it was satisfied with the testimony of its only witness before closing its case in June.
The defence lawyer also questioned the justification for introducing additional witnesses at that stage of the proceedings.
He further alleged that the application could unnecessarily prolong the trial and expose his client to avoidable legal pressure.
Despite the defence's objections, Justice Kekemeke ruled in favour of the prosecution, allowing the police to continue presenting their case through additional witnesses and evidence.
Following the court's decision, the prosecution was expected to present its additional witnesses.
However, Usman Aliyu informed the court that none of the proposed witnesses was available at the time of the proceedings.
He consequently requested an adjournment to enable the prosecution to produce the witnesses at the next sitting.
Justice Kekemeke subsequently adjourned the matter until January 27, 2027, for the continuation of the trial.
The next hearing is expected to provide an opportunity for the prosecution to present the additional witnesses permitted by the court.
Turaki, who was previously granted bail in the sum of ₦100 million with one surety in like sum, remains before the court as the proceedings continue.
The latest ruling is significant for both the PDP and Nigeria's political and judicial landscape.
Turaki occupies an important position within the opposition party, which has experienced internal leadership disagreements and political challenges.
Consequently, developments involving his ongoing trial are likely to attract attention from party members, political observers and Nigerians following the country's opposition politics.
The decision also highlights the importance of procedural questions in criminal trials, particularly when prosecutors seek to introduce additional evidence after closing their case.
However, the court's approval to reopen the prosecution's case does not amount to a conviction or establish that the allegations against Turaki are true.
The defendant retains the right to challenge the additional evidence and defend himself throughout the proceedings.
Under Nigeria's constitutional framework, every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.
With the prosecution now permitted to call additional witnesses, attention will shift to the next hearing scheduled for January 27, 2027.
The proceedings will determine how the additional evidence is presented and how the defence responds to the prosecution's case.
For now, the court's ruling represents a procedural victory for the police prosecution, while the substantive allegations against the PDP factional chairman remain unresolved.